Hawaii Information

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Hawaii State Facts

Becoming the 50th state of the union in 1959, Hawaii has the most isolated population hub on earth; over 2,300 miles from California and 5,200 from the Philippines. Hawaii State contains eight major islands (in order of size): Hawaii, Maui, Oahu, Kauai, Molokai, Lanai, Niihau, and Kahoolawe.

Hawaii has an area of 10,931 square miles with a coastline of 750 miles; the islands extend to about 1,500 miles from East to West (the widest state in the nation). Elevations span from seal level to about 13,800 feet, with the peak of Mauna Kea being the highest.

The state of Hawaii enjoys a tropical climate with temperatures that vary little and average about 75 degrees which is moderated by oceanic influences and northeasterly trade winds.

Hawaii has its own time zone and has the largest contiguous ranch, in the United States, which is about 480,000 acres of land.

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Hawaii's State Flag "Ua mau ke ea o ka `aina i ka pono." The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness. In 1845 King Kamehameha III declared the state's motto and officially re-commissioned the Hawaiian Flag, dedicating it at the opening of the Kingdom's Legislature. Hawaii's state flag consists of eight horizontal stripes, representing the eight major islands, and the British Union Jack, it has also served as the flag of the Hawaiian kingdom, republic and territory.

Hawaii's Coral Reefs

The coastal waters of the Hawaiian Islands team with over 400 different species of fish that live among several different habitats.  Though sandy bottom, rocky shorelines and tide pools offer homes to many types of marine life, the coral reef is by far the most impressive near shore habitat. 

Providing an abundant food source and protection from predators, a coral reef attracts many exotic sea creatures.  Sometimes called the “Tropical rainforests of the sea” Coral reefs which may look like colorful rock formations are actually marine animals.  Corals belong to the Phylum Cnidaria group of animals that include jelly fish and sea anemones.

A coral reef colony starts life as swimming planula larvae which are carried by currents to warm clear waters shallow enough to receive sunlight, here the larvae willl attach to the floor bed and change into polyp.  Polyp is a type of body with a single opening surrounded by tentacles leading to a stomach, many polyp form together into a skeleton made of limestone.  In this manner, on average, a coral reef will grow from one half inch to only four inches per year.

In Hawaii there are mainly six different corals which are named generally by how they look; shelf, rice, lobe, finger, cauliflower and blue.  The more common corals are usually the more sturdy varieties like blue and rice.

Transportation

Over water transport has a vital role in Hawaii’s economy. Modern ports and container ship products with travel times to and from the mainland United States averaging about 4 days for large container ships. Key inter-island ports include Honolulu and Barbers Point, Hilo and Kahului, Molokai and Lanai.

Although there are no public railroads, Hawaii has over 4,200 miles of roads which include over 300 miles of highway. Airlines offer passenger and cargo transportation to 30 airports with Honolulu International Airport being the largest and one of the most active in the nation.

Sometime in 2007 the new Hawaii Superferry will begin daily service to Oahu, Maui and Kauai, with daily service to Hawaii Island in 2009.  The Superferry will offer affordable passenger seating and will accommodate vehicles as well as surfboards, pets, horses (in trailers) and more.

Kamaaina or Malihini

According to the U.S. Bureau of the Census, in 2005 Hawaii's population was estimated at 1,275,194. Residents of Hawaii, Hawaiians are also called Kamaaina (non-ethnic Hawaiian, native-born) or Malihini (newcomer). Some notable Hawaiians include Liliuokalani the last Hawaiian monarch; Ellison Onizuka (astronaut); Angela Baraquio (Miss America, 2001); Harold Sakata, whose acting carrier included a role in the 1964 James Bond movie Goldfinger.

Pineapple Garden Maze

The Pineapple Garden Maze at Dole Plantation, was officially recognized in the 2001 Guinness Book of World Records as the World’s Largest Maze.

Covering an area of more than two acres with a path length of 1.7 miles, the maze is made of 11,400 native plants, including varieties of hibiscus, the official state flower.